Curcuma plant named &#39;CPH Magenta&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  curcuma  plant having magenta colored inflorescences.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/762,738, filed May 17, 2018, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Curcuma hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘CPH Magenta’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of curcumaplant known by the varietal name ‘CPH Magenta’ (previously referred toin U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/762,738 as simply“Magenta”). The new variety was discovered in 2017 in Chiangmai,Thailand as the result of a planned breeding program with the purposesof providing curcuma plants with new coloration and characteristics. Thenew variety is the result of a cross between an unnamed and unpatentedCurcuma alismatifolia variety (female parent) and an unnamed andunpatented Curcuma aurantiaca variety (male parent). The new variety issimilar in upper inflorescence bract color to its female parent, but‘CPH Magenta’ differs in lower inflorescence bract color and overallinflorescence shape to its female parent. ‘CPH Magenta’ exhibits similarinflorescence shape and bract colors to its male parent, but differsfrom its male parent in inflorescence size. Tissue culture and bulbasexual reproductions of the new variety first occurred in 2017 inChiangmai, Thailand. ‘CPH Magenta’ has been trial and field tested andhas been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain trueto type through successive propagations. The present invention has notbeen evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change inthe genotype of the plant.

The inflorescence color and shape distinguish ‘CPR Magenta’ from othercurcuma varieties known to the breeder. Further, when ‘CPH Magenta’ iscompared to Curcuma hybrid ‘CPH Orange’ (U.S. Plant patent applicationSer. No. ______ ), the varieties are similar in exhibiting a red uppersurface leaf midrib. However, the varieties differ in inflorescencecolor (‘CPH Orange’ has orange colored inflorescences) and plant height.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing taken at approximately 60 days ofage illustrates the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true asis possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety at approximately 60 days of age. The data which definesthese characteristics was collected under natural light in Chiangmai,Thailand. Plants of the new variety were grown in 20.3 cm pots in aplastic greenhouse in Chiangmai, Thailand and watered 1-2 times a day,if needed. Color references are primarily to the 2016 HTML Color Chart.

-   Plant:    -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 20-30 days at about 30-33° C.            Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 45 days at about            30-33° C. Root description: Fibrous, with a pale yellow            colored (FAFCF5) milk tank. Number of rhizomes produced per            plant: From 1-3. Rhizome diameter: 3.0-4.0 cm. Growth habit:            Annual. Plant height (soil level to top of inflorescences):            50.0 cm. Plant diameter: 30.0 cm. Pubescence: Lightly            present on bracts and leafs. Disease            resistance/susceptibility: None observed. Pest            resistance/susceptibility: None observed. Temperature            tolerance: 20-40° C. or tropical climate conditions. Drought            tolerance: Unknown. Seed/fruit: None observed to date.        -   Leaves.—Arrangement: Alternate. Average number per plant:            From 3-5. Length: 20.0 cm. Width: 8.0 cm. Shape of leaf            (generally): Linear. Shape of apex: Attenuate. Shape of            base: Obtuse. Margin description: Entire. Texture: Upper            surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Smooth. Aspect: Upright.            Color: Young leaves: Upper surface: Light green (74AF1B).            Lower surface: Light green (74AF1B). Mature leaves: Upper            surface: Green (96B365). Lower surface: Green (96B365).            Veins: Appearance: Pinnate and penninerved. Color: Upper            surface: Green (3E5D19) with a red (807976) midrib. Lower            surface: Green (3E5D19).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—1 compact inflorescence per            shoot. Inflorescence number per plant: From 1-3.            Inflorescence length: 20.0 cm. Inflorescence diameter:            8.0 cm. Fragrance: None. Flower bracts: Total number per            inflorescence: Approximately 20. Upper bracts: Number:            Approximately 10. Length: 5.0-7.0 cm. Width: 2.0-4.0 cm.            Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Shallow U-shaped.            Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth. Lower            surface: Smooth. Color: Upper surface: Magenta (EE389C).            Lower surface: Magenta (EB307F). Lower bracts: Number:            Approximately 10. Length: 3.0-5.0 cm. Width: 3.0-5.0 cm.            Shape: Obovate. Apex: Mucronate. Base: Reverse omega-shaped.            Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper surface: Smooth. Lower            surface: Smooth. Color: Upper surface: Red (942627). Lower            surface: Red (6C2827).        -   Flowers.—Number per inflorescence: Approximately 50.            Continuity of flowering: 1 month. Lastingness of an            individual flower: 1-2 days. Length: Approximately 2.0 cm.            Diameter: 3.0 cm. Appearance: Orchidaceous form. Upper            petals: Upper surface color: Yellow (A66E2E). Lower surface            color: Yellow (A66E2E). Lower petals: Upper surface color:            Purple (A86078). Lower surface color: Purple (A86078).        -   Peduncles.—Length: 20.0 cm. Diameter: 1.0 cm. Texture:            Smooth. Angle: Upright. Color: Green (827912).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: 1. Filament: Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter:            1.0 mm. Color: Pale cream (C6AE98). Anthers: Shape: 2-lobed.            Length: 3.0 mm. Color: Pale cream (C6AE98). Pollen: None            observed. Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 1.0 cm. Style: Length:            1.0 cm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: Pale cream (C6AE98).            Stigma: Length: 2.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: Pale cream            (C6AE98).

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of curcuma plant, as is hereinillustrated and described.